February 26: Albert Anastasia

February 26: Born on this date in 1902 in Italy as Umberto Anastasio, he would come to America and become famous as Albert Anastasia, “The Lord High Executioner” of Organized Crime; in 1957, he would be murdered while getting his hair cut at the Park Sheraton Hotel.

February 25: Susan Rotolo

February 25: Susan Rotolo, Bob Dylan’s girlfriend 1961-1964, who appeared on the cover of his “The Free Wheelin Bob Dylan” album and inspired him to write “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” as well as “Tomorrow is a Long Time,” died on this date in 2011.

February 24: “Bill the Butcher” Poole

February 24: Nativist gang leader “Bill the Butcher” Poole, whose life would form the basis for the Daniel Day-Lewis character of William Cutting in the movie “Gangs of New York,” was fatally shot by a rival-gang member at a bar on Broadway on this day in 1855.